Skip bucket loader apparatus



March 6, 1956 c. c. MOMULLEN 2,737,308

SKIP BUCKET LOADER APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

CLETUS Q. Ma MULLEH HHOr-nj March 6, 1956 Filed June 25, 1953 C. C. M MULLEN SKIP BUCKET LOADER APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. L 5 6. Mo MULLEN Bar/ AHer may ilnited ates Patent sror BUCKET LOADER APPARATUS Cletus C. McMuiien, Havertown, Pa., assignor to Beau mont Birch Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania This invention relates generally to apparatus for handling material such as coal, sand, gravel, etc., and is more particularly concerned with an improved construction of loader for serving a skip-hoist.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a movable loader and a skip-hoist bucket which it serves arranged so that during a loading operation the loader and bucket coact in a manner which eliminates the undue shock and noise which commonly is an incident of the loading operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a movable loader and a skip-hoist bucket which it serves arranged so that during a loading operation the loader rests upon the bucket, following the same downwardly under the influence of gravity, thereafter being elevated against gravity by the bucket to a position in which it is held against gravity until the beginning of the next loading operation.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear more fully hereinafter, it being understood that said invention consists substantially in the combination, construction, location and general arrangement of parts, all as described in detail in the following specification, as shown in the accompanying drawings and as fully pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a side elevational view showing in its initial loading position apparatus embodying the present invention;

Figures 2 and 3 are similar to Figure l but show the apparatus in intermediate loading positions;

Figure 4 is the same as Figure l but shows the apparatus in its final loading position;

Figure 5 is an elevational view on line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a sectional elevational view on line 6-6 of Figure 5; and a Figure 7 is a sectional view on line 7-7 of Figure 6.

Referring particularly to the drawings, the source of supply of material is a hopper ltl which at its bottom has an outlet 11. A loader 12 is mounted on the outlet 11, and for latching the loader 12 to the hopper 10 there is provided means designated generally by the numeral 13. The loader 12 services a skip-hoist bucket 14 which is suitably positionable thereunder, being moved on a track 15 inclined as shown.

The loader 12 has a nose section in the form of an elongated chute 16 which is provided with a laterally presenting discharge opening 17. A cutoif gate 13 is disposed in longitudinal continuation of the underside of the chute 16, both the cutoff gate 18 and the chute 16 being carried by a pair of members 19-19 which are disposed respectively on opposite sides of the outlet 11. The members 19-19, which together with the chute 16 constitute an assembly which is swingable relatively .to the hopper outlet 11, are respectively supported for such swinging movement upon oppositely projecting axially alined stub shafts 20-20 which are respectively secured to opposite side walls of the outlet 11 and extend through suitable bearings found centrally in the members 19-19. A set of counterweighs 21, suitably carried by the members 19-19, serve to so counterbalonce the major portion only of the weight of the chute 16 that the loader 12 is gravity influenced, by the unbalanced weight of the chute 16, to swin vertically about the fixed axis of the shafts 20-20 from the position shown in Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure 4.

The means 13 for latching the loader 12 to the hopper 10 includes duplicate assemblies of parts disposed respectively on opposite sides of the loader 12. Referring more particularly to Figure 1, the assembly of parts on each side of the loader 12 includes a lug 22 which is rigidly secured to the side of the chute 16 and which projects outwardly therefrom for movement in an arcuate path when the chute 16 swings vertically as aforementioned. An elongated pivoted lever 23, engageable with the lug 22, is disposed generally along a line which is tangent to the arcuate path of movement of the lug. A portion of the lever 23 intermediate its length is pro- .vided with an elongated notch 24 which is open on the side of the lever 23 presenting toward the pivotal axis of the loader 12. The lever 23 is pivotally connected, as at 2%, to a bracket 25 suitably fixed to the hopper 10 or its outlet 11 and is mounted to swing vertically about a fixed axis. The free outer end portion of the lever 23 is connected by a tension spring 26, which extends laterally therefrom to an anchor 27 suitably secured to the fixed pivot 26 In the inactive condition of-the apparatus as shown in Figure l, the levers 23-23 are held firmly against lugs 22-22 by the tension of the springs 26-26, the lugs 22-22 being additionally held in frictional engagement with the outer ends of the notches24-24 of the levers by the unbalanced weight of the'loader 12, whereby the loader is held in its inactive position.

Still referring particularly to Figure l, the aforementioned assembly of parts on each side of the loader 12 additionally includes a vertically extending member 23 beneath the lever 23. Secured to a portion of the member 28 intermediate its length is a bracket 29 through which is projected a pivot 30 carried by the chute 16, the pivotal axis thus provided for the member 28 being parallel to those of the loader 10 and the lever 23 so that the member 28 is mounted for swinging movement in the vertical plane of movement of the associated lever 23. The freely extending upper end portion of the member 28 is engageable with the outer end portion of the lever 23, while the lower end portion of the member 28 depends freely from the pivot 30 and is formed of two relatively extensible sections-31 and 32 suitably provided with a compression spring 33 interposed therebetween. The lower terminal portions of the members 28-25:! are rigidly secured respectively to the opposite end portions of a cross member 34 and are provided with upwardly presenting hooks 35-35 reinforced respectively by plates 36-36. The members 23-28 joined together by the cross member 34 form a U-shaped lever constituting means for disengaging the levers 23-23 from their retaining lugs 23-23. It will be understood, of course, that the pivots about which the levers 23-23 swing are coaxially related, and that the pivots 30-30 about which the members 28-23 swing also are co-axially related.

The skip bucket 14 which is served by the loader 12 is provided with a comparatively short side 37 positioned in a plane which is parallel to the inclined plane of the track 15. On this side 37 there is mounted a runner plate 33 of about the same width as the side 37. The plate 38 is provided with a section 39 positioned proximate the bottom of the bucket 14- tlatwise against the side 37 and a section 40 angled as shown relative to the line of travel of the bucket 14, a section 41 which is parallel to and oil-set from the section 39 and a section 42 which is turned, as at 43, under the section 41 and which is positioned proximate the mouth of the bucket 14 flatwise against the side 37.

Again referring particularly to Figure l, for engaging the plate 3%, the loader 12 is provided with a pair of laterally spaced runner bars 4444 which are secured to the underside of the chute 16. Each runner bar 44 is provided with a portion 45 which extends part way along a section 46 of the aforementioned underside and with a section which is bent, as at 47, over a section 48 of the underside as shown, providing runner bar portions 49 and 50 which are reversely angled as shown relative to the line of travel of the bucket 14.

In the condition of the apparatus shown in Figure l,

the loader 12 is in its raised, inactive position, being secured in such position by the interengagement of levers 23-23 with the lugs 22-22 as indicated hereinbefore, while the bucket 14 is in its initial loading position. Initial movement downward of the bucket 14 places the section as of the runner plate 38 in direct contact with the portions 5t 5l) of the runner bars 44-4-4, whereupon the loader 12 swings vertically upwardly about its pivotal axis suificiently to lift the lugs 22-22 slightly in their notches 2424, as a consequence of which the unbalanced weight of the loader 12 is transferred through the runner bar bent portions 47-47 to the runner plate section 39. Continued movement of the skip bucket ltd downward causes the runner plate section 40 and part of the runner plate section 41 to pass under the runner bar bent portions 4747 in frictional contact therewith, as a consequence of which the loader 12 continues its vertical swinging movement and the lugs 2222 are lifted still farther in their notches 24-24 to the position thereof shown in Figure 2.

In passing from the condition of the apparatus shown in Figure 2 to that shown in Figure 3, the skip bucket 14 first moves into direct contact with the lower end portions of the members 28-28, and then sliding along these lower end portions causes the members 28-48 to swing vertically about their pivotal axis so that the upper end portions thereof force the levers 23-23 to swing vertically about their pivotal axis out of the arcuate path of the lugs 22-22 against the restraint of the tension springs 2626.

in passing from the condition of the apparatus shown in Figure 3 to that shown in Figure 4, the runner bar portions 4949 pass around the runner plate part 43 in frictional contact therewith as the gravity influenced loader 12 swings vertically downwardly, its discharge end being inserted into the mouth of the skip bucket 14 and its undercut gate 18 being positioned for passage oi? material from the hopper 1% through the loader 12 and into the skip bucket 14. The latter is yieldably held in its final loading position, shown in Figure 4, by the U-shaped lever comprising the members 28--28 and the cross member 34, the bottom of the skip bucket 14 being engaged with the hooks 3535 provided as the lower terminal portions of the members 2823. It will be observed that the U-shaped lever moves downwardly bodily with the loader 12 and at the same time swings vertically about its pivot axis so that the upper end portions of the members 2328 are disengaged respectively from the levers 23-23, the latter being held in readiness by stops 51-51 respectively on the brackets 2525 as shown for re-engagement with the upper end portions of the members 2828. When the loaded bucket commences its ascent, the operation as described hereinbetore is reversed, the loader 12 being elevated against gravity to the raised, inactive position shown in Figure l, in which position the levers 23-23 re-engage the loader lugs 22-22 to secure the nose of the loader raised against the downward pull of gravity.

It will be noted that in the apparatus as described,

the unbalanced weight of the loader is so disposed that as the bucket 14- descends along its inclined track 15 the nose of the loader is first engaged by the bucket to disengage the loader lugs 22-22 from the levers 2323, following which the loader swings about its supporting pivots into its final discharging position shown in Figure 4. From the time that the loader is initially engaged by the loader until the latter assumes its final discharging position, the loader is in constant contact with the descending bucket, the swinging movement of the loader downwardly under the influence of gravity being of a speed which is governed by the speed of descent of the bucket. Inasmuch as there is thus no appreciable lag in movement between the descending bucket and the downwardly swinging loader, the shock and noise of impact normally incident to skip hoist loading operations particularly when the bucket reaches thebottom of its descent, are largely, if not entirely, eliminated.

it will be understood, of course, that the apparatus as herein shown and described is susceptible of various changes and modifications which may be made from time to time without any departure from the general principles or real spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended to claim the present invention broadly, as Well as specifically, as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

l. in combination, a loader gravity-influenced to swing vertically about a fixed axis from a raised, inactive position to a downwardly presenting, loading position, latch means comprising an element on said loader disposed in spaced relation to the pivotal axis thereof, a lever mounted to swing vertically about a fixed axis and disposed on the side of said element remote from the pivotal axis of said loader, said lever being spring biased so that a portion thereof remote from its pivotal axis engages said element, said loader being thereby secured in said raised, inactive position, and means for disengaging said element and lever, said disengaging means including a lever carried by said loader and pivotally mounted for vertical swinging movement, said loader carried lever being engaged with said spring biased lever and a skip bucket movable into direct contact with said loader, whereupon said loader is supported on said bucket, and further movable into direct contact with said disengaging means whereupon said element and lever are disengaged and said loader while supported on said bucket moves with the latter first under the influence of gravity to said downwardly presenting, loading position and then back against gravity to said raised, inactive position, being again releasably secured in the latter position by said latch means.

2. In combination, a loader gravity-influenced to swing vertically about a fixed axis from a raised, inactive position to a downwardly presenting, loading position, latch means comprising an element on said loader disposed in spaced relation to the pivotal axis thereof, a lever mounted to swing vertically about a fixed axis and disposed on the side of said element remote from the pivotal axis of said loader, a tension spring which biases said lever so that a portion thereof remote from its pivotal axis engages said element, said loader being thereby secured in said raised, inactive position, and means for disengaging said element and lever, said disengaging means including a lever carried by said loader and pivotally mounted for vertical swinging movement of its opposite end portions, one end portion being engaged with said spring biased lever, and a skip bucket movable into direct contact with said loader, whereupon said loader is supported on said bucket, and further movable into direct contact with the other end of said loader carried lever whereupon said element and springbiased lever are disengaged and said loader while supported on said bucket moves with the latter first under the influence of gravity to said downwardly presenting, loading position and then back against gravity to said raised, inactive position, being again releasably secured in the latter position by said latch means.

3. In combination, a loader which is gravity influenced to swing vertically from a raised, inactive position to a downwardly presenting, loading position, latch means comprising an element associated with said leader, a lever which is hookingly engaged with the underside of saidelement, said loader being thereby secured in raised, inactive position, and means for disengaging said element and lever, and a skip bucket which is movable into direct contact with said loader, whereupon said loader is supported on said bucket, the contacting portion of the loader being the discharge end thereof disposed in a plane inclined rearwardly relative to the direction of travel and upwardly so that said loader and element are lifted by camming action, the latter being lifted from its hook, and which is further movable into direct contact with said disengaging means, whereupon said lever is moved out of the path of said element and said loader while supported on said bucket moves with the latter first under the influence of gravity to said downwardly presenting, loading position and then back against gravity to said raised, inactive position, being again releasably secured in the latter position by said latch means.

4. In combination, a loader which is gravity influenced to swing vertically from a raised, inactive position to a downwardly presenting, loading position, latch means comprising an element associated with said loader, a lever which is hookingly engaged with the underside of said element, said loader being thereby secured in raised, inactive position, and means for disengaging said element and lever, and a skip bucket which is movable into direct contact with said loader, whereupon said loader is supported on said bucket, the contacting portion of said loader being a pair of laterally spaced members associated with the discharge opening of said loader and disposed in a plane inclined rearwardly relative to the direction of travel and upwardly so that said loader and element are lifted by camming action, the latter being lifted from its hook, and which is further movable into direct contact with said disengaging means, whereupon said lever is moved out of the path of said element and said loader while supported on said bucket moves with the latter first under the influence of gravity to said downwardly presenting, loading position and then back against gravity to said raised, inactive position, being again releasably secured in the latter position by said latch means.

5. In combination, a loader which is gravity influenced to swing vertically from a raised, inactive position to a downwardly presenting, loading position, latch means comprising an element associated with said loader, a lever which is hookingly engaged with the underside of said element, said loader being thereby secured in raised, inactive position, and means for disengaging said element and lever, and a skip bucket which mounts on the side thereof adjacent said loader, an elongated member which extends from the mouth of said bucket toward the bottom thereof, said bucket being movable into direct contact with said loader, whereupon said loader is supported on said member, at least a portion of said member being inclined rearwardly relative to the direction of travel and upwardly so that said loader and element are lifted by camming action, the latter being lifted from its hook, and which is further movable into direct contact with said disengaging means, whereupon said lever is moved out of the path of said element and said loader while supported on said member moves with said bucket and about the end portion of said member proximate the mouth of said bucket first under the influence of gravity to said downwardly presenting, loading position and then back against gravity to said raised, inactive position, being again releasably secured in the latter position by said latch means.

6. In combination, a loader gravity influenced to swing vertically from a raised, inactive position to a downwardly presenting, loading position, latch means comprising a first pair of elements associated respectively with opposite sides of said loader, a pair of levers spring biased into engagement respectively with said first pair of elements, said loader being thereby secured in said raised, inactive position, means for disengaging said first pair of elements and said spring biased levers, and means for maintaining said spring biased levers in a predetermined position when said first pair of elements and said spring biased lever are disengaged, said disengaging means including a second pair of elements associated respectively with opposite sides of said loader, a U-shaped lever the legs of which are pivotally associated respectively with said second pair of elements for vertical swinging movement of their opposite end portions, the parts of said legs at the open end of said U-shaped lever being engaged respectively with said spring biased levers and the parts of said legs at the closed end of said U-shaped lever being yieldably extensible, said closed end being adapted to hookingly engage said bucket to limit the'travel thereof, and a skip bucket movable into direct contact with said loader, whereupon said loader is supported on said bucket, and further movable into direct contact with the closed end of said U-shaped lever, whereupon said first pair of elements and said spring biased levers are disengaged and said loader while supported on said bucket moves with the latter first under the influence of gravity to said downwardly presenting loading position and then back against gravity to said raised, inactive position, being again releasably secured in the latter position by said latch means.

7. In combination, a loader gravity-influenced to swing vertically from a raised, inactive position to a downwardly presenting, loading position, latch means releasably securing said loader in said raised position, means for disabling said latch means and thus releasing said loader for swingingmovement to its loading position, and a skip bucket movable in loader engaging direction into direct contact with said loader for supporting the Weight thereof, and further movable in said direction into direct contact with said disabling means for disabling said latch means and releasing said loader for vertical swinging movement while supported on said bucket, movement of said loader from said raised position to said loading position being eflected under the influence of gravity and movement thereof back to said raised position being efiected against gravity, said loader being again releasably secured automatically by said latch means in the latter of said positions when returned thereto.

8. In combination, a loader which is gravity influenced to swing vertically from a raised, inactive position to a downwardly presenting, loading position, latch means comprising an element associated with said loader, a lever which is hookingly engaged with the underside of said element, said loader being thereby secured in raised, inactive position, and means for disengaging said element and lever, a skip bucket which is movable into direct contact with said loader, whereupon said loader is supported on said bucket, and cam means for lifting said loader and element, the latter being lifted from its hook, said bucket being further movable into direct contact with said disengaging means, whereupon said lever is moved out of the path of said element and said loader while supported on said bucket moves with the latter first under the influence of gravity to said downwardly pre senting, loading position and then back against gravity to said raised, inactive position, being again releasably se cured in the latter position by said latch means.

References Cited in the file of this patent V UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,411,831 Beaumont Apr. 4, 1922 1,628,314 Hale May 10, 1927 1,653,589 Ross Dec. 20, 1927 1,808,953 Hallenbeck June 9, 1931 

